NÜWA at City of Dreams Sri Lanka has been named South Asia’s Leading Designer Hotel – Gold Winner at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, securing regional recognition for its distinctive approach to contemporary luxury, thoughtful design and personalised hospitality within its first year of operations. 

The accolade marks a significant milestone for NÜWA and City of Dreams Sri Lanka, South Asia’s first fully integrated resort, as the destination continues to establish Colombo as a compelling proposition for international luxury travellers. 

Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026, SATA is a prominent regional platform recognising excellence across the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Bringing together hospitality brands and industry professionals across South Asia, the awards celebrate achievements in service, innovation, guest experience and industry leadership. Recognition at SATA offers hotels an opportunity to benchmark their performance against regional peers and strengthen their standing among travellers and industry stakeholders. 

For NÜWA, winning Gold in the Leading Designer Hotel category in its inaugural year of operations is a particularly notable achievement. It reflects the hotel’s distinctive identity within Sri Lanka’s evolving luxury hospitality landscape and its ambition to deliver an experience shaped by considered design, exceptional service and attention to detail. 

Michael Habashi, Vice President & Property General Manager of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, said: “Winning Gold at the South Asian Travel Awards in our first year of operations is a tremendous honour for NÜWA and the entire City of Dreams Sri Lanka team. This recognition affirms our ambition to bring a distinctive expression of contemporary luxury to Sri Lanka, where thoughtful design is complemented by personalised service and genuine hospitality. As we establish ourselves within the regional hospitality landscape, we remain committed to creating experiences that resonate with our guests while contributing to Sri Lanka’s growing reputation as a destination for world-class luxury travel.” 

As the ultra-luxury hotel within City of Dreams Sri Lanka, NÜWA brings together refined accommodation, bespoke butler services, distinctive dining and personalised guest experiences, complemented by panoramic views of Colombo. Its positioning reflects a contemporary interpretation of luxury, where privacy, individual attention and thoughtful design are central to the guest journey. 

The SATA 2026 recognition adds to the growing portfolio of milestones achieved by NÜWA and City of Dreams Sri Lanka during their first year, reinforcing the destination’s commitment to elevating hospitality standards and strengthening Sri Lanka’s presence in the regional luxury travel market. 

As City of Dreams Sri Lanka enters its next chapter, the recognition serves as both an achievement and an impetus to continue raising the bar for design-led hospitality, creating memorable experiences for guests and contributing to the evolution of tourism in Colombo and beyond. 

About City of Dreams Sri Lanka 

City of Dreams Sri Lanka is South Asia’s first fully integrated resort, bringing together luxury accommodation, dining, entertainment, retail, wellness and events in Colombo. The destination is home to NÜWA, its ultra-luxury hotel, and Cinnamon Life, offering a diverse range of experiences for leisure and business travellers.